6 Ways to Quit Smoking for Good

February is Heart Month, which makes it the perfect time to do something great for your health—quit smoking. According to the World Heart Federation, smoking causes approximately 10 percent of cardiovascular disease. This alone makes quitting one of the best things that you can do for your health.

In spite of knowing the risks of smoking, quitting is very difficult for most people. To quit smoking, you will need to have some strategies to help you. Here are 6 of the best ways to quit smoking.

#1 Develop a Plan

This is the first step in quitting smoking. Make a plan that details when you will quit smoking and what things will help you. Commit to your plan by signing it.

#2 Choose a Quit Date

After developing your plan to quit smoking, choose a quit date. This will help you mentally prepare for giving up the habit and will help solidify your plan to quit.

#3 Identify Tools to Help You Quit

Identify tools that will help you quit smoking, such as using e-cigarettes to help you quit. E-cigs, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, is a safe way to help people quit smoking.

#4 Tell Family and Friends

After you have developed your quit smoking plan and chosen a start date, tell your family and friends of your plans to quit. Having the support and encouragement of others will make it easier to quit.

#5 Find a Hobby

After you have made the decision to stop smoking, find ways to stay busy. You can work on a new hobby or join a social club. Anything that keeps your mind off smoking will help you quit.

#6 Don’t Give Up

Even if you experience a setback and find yourself smoking again, don’t give up. Start over again. Many people try many times before giving up the habit for good. If you mess up, just get right back to your plan to quit.